Durham Region pitches in

Celebrating Earth Week with organized cleanups

Earth Day cleanup

OSHAWA -- Aleesha Patrick, 17, was surrounded by the bags of garbage collected around the Rossland and Wilson roads plaza, during the sixth annual Earth Day cleanup she organized. April 17, 2014

Earth Day Cceanup

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

OSHAWA -- Sean Martin and his children Shamar, 15, and Shaun-Taya,16, helped to pick up garbage around the Rossland and Wilson roads plaza, during the sixth annual Earth Day cleanup, organized by 17-year-old Aleesha Patrick. April 27, 2014

Earth Day cleanup

Sabrina Byrnes / Metroland

OSHAWA -- Aleesha Patrick, 17, was surrounded by the bags of garbage collected around the Rossland and Wilson roads plaza, during the sixth annual Earth Day cleanup she organized. April 17, 2014

DURHAM -- In recognition of Earth Week, residents of Durham Region stepped into gear this past weekend. Events were held across several municipalities in order to help clean up local parks, ravines and community spaces.

Pitch-In Brooklin celebrated its 11th year this past Saturday. Founder Shawn Williamson says a park cleanup is the easiest and effective way to engage the community. Mr. Williamson and his wife started the initiative 13 years ago by cleaning up Carson Park, located right behind their Brooklin home. During their first year, Mr. Williamson had approximately 50 to 70 people sign up, and last year 632 residents participated.

“I’m estimating anywhere from 600 to 800 people will show up today. It’s one of those things that has taken on a life of its own,” he said. “It’s a good thing, particularly for the kids. When kids are out there cleaning up their park, and when they see people littering afterwards, they’ll actually stand up and say something.”

“It’s educational for the kids. They understand that they can shape the community they live in, regardless of their age,” he said.

Even though Brooklin resident Karen Chafe was initially hesitant about signing up due to rain in the forecast, her daughter Sophie, 6, insisted they still go.

“She’s a good influence on us,” Ms. Chafe said laughing. “We are really proud of her.”

“I’m in the eco club at school and I like to help out the earth. Sometimes we go outside and pick up garbage and inside we tell people to turn stuff off and put the right things in the garbage.”

Meanwhile, over at Rotary Frenchman’s Bay West Park, it was Take Pride in Pickering Day. Residents did a shoreline cleanup, tree planting and geocaching.

Dunbarton High School student Collin McBride, 17, was dodging tree branches and was deep in the shrubs with his garbage bag along the waterfront. He had a couple of interesting finds including a large candle and a set of wooden drawers.

“I just want to make the city look a lot better as a whole.”

Residents of Pickering also had the opportunity to take part in what was billed as a “construction sneak peek,” a look at the partially finished boat ramp at Frenchman’s Bay harbour, along with drawings of what the finished $9-million project will look like. The concrete deck will open to the public in August.

“We wanted to let people know what’s going on. We do issue a construction newsletter every month, but we thought we could bring people right to the construction fence to answer any questions they may have,” said Connie Pinto, senior project manager for waterfront planning with Toronto and Region Conservation.

On Sunday, April 27, 17-year-old Maxwell Heights student Aleesha Patrick organized her sixth Earth Day cleanup. This year the event was held at the ravine and greenspace near the Rossland and Wilson roads plaza in Oshawa. Her passion for the environment started at the age of nine when she and mother, Darcy Patrick, moved to Oshawa from Toronto.

“She’s my earth angel,” said Ms. Patrick. “I started to realize that she was getting agitated by garbage. If I took her to the mall she would pick the garbage up. The environment is dear to her heart.”

Aleesha is part of the Oshawa Environmental Advisory Committee and is a leader in her ECO school program.

“OEAC asked if she could join when she was just 15, but you have to be 16 to join. So they waited for her. She’s an amazing daughter,” said Ms. Patrick

“I’m hoping at least 100 people will come out today,” said Aleesha. “Two signup sheets are already filled out and it just makes me really happy ... I’m hoping they (participants) will get some kind of inspiration to maybe even do it themselves in their own community and understand the difference that they are making by coming out,” she said.

Aleesha recently received her acceptance letter from Durham College for the environmental technology program. Her future plans include designing sustainable technology.

“I love it. I’m so excited. I also want to keep doing this event, and I want it to get bigger and better with every year.”

Leeanna McLean is the videographer and social media reporter for Metroland Durham Region Media Group.